| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Jackson, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Eisenhower Loop, Webster Cliff Trail, Webster-Jackson Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 6, 2016 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We spotted a car at the Webster-Jackson parking on Rt 302, first in and one there on our return. We parked at the winter/Cog hiker parking. There was a car there on arrival, a few on our departure. We saw one car at the USFS lot. The Mt Clinton road and the Base roads were all snow free; the Mt. Clinton was rough, the Base had some recent shim work in places but needs more, and it seemed to have had some grit spread on it. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Both Ammo crossings were okay with rock/ledge hops. Webster-Jackson crossings were simple hops. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There was a major crawl under blowdown complex on Ammo. They likely will need axe work from someone with experience. I had forgotten how small some of the cairns are going over to Eisenhower from Little Monroe; in the fog we had to pay attention in places. The significant blowdown between Pierce and Jackson was removed as was two small stems from a new (this week) striped maple blowdown on Webster-Jackson part way up. The larger 6" or so stem remains and it is a bit of pain to get over. There has been an large stag blowdown that fell alongside and partly in the Webster-Jackson trail in its lower section, and people are getting around it rather easily, but it would be nice to get rid of it to open the trail. The mess at the intersection of Elephants Head and Webster-Jackson was given some welcome axe work before we got there - thanks! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I put some Mushers wax on his paws before the hike, and he wore his M sweater. Not surprisingly, paws get wet on these shoulder hikes from stream crossings and water in the trails connecting the ridges to parking. There was some new snow that was drifting and sticking on Pepper's wet legs on Ammo, Monroe Loop and Crawford Path much of the way towards Eisenhower. He had some deep snow to get through in places in that stretch. We hiked a bit with Layla at the top of Ammo before he went off to Washington, and were thrilled to run into Pemi just below Eisenhower. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
The hike up Ammo and then to Monroe and over to Eisenhower was one hike, the hike from Eisenhower to Jackson and down was quite different. The first was marked by snow showers, new and drifting snow, fog, and several blasts of ice pellets with some wind. Spikes were very helpful on the upper ledges; we put ours on a short ways below the upper stream crossing. The second transitioned into reduced wind, wet snow on the trail that sometimes balled up on spikes, open wet areas and then on Webster-Jackson below the summit, clear trail, with some mud. We removed our spikes for that. There was quite a variety of conditions for a single hike. We ran into a couple of guys who had hiked Eisenhower via Edmands Path. We ran into several groups on the other side of Eisenhower. There was no astronomical sun again today, but we ran into Sunshine, Gypsy Dancer and Pemi, always the most joyful hikers we ever meet on the trails. We met a couple more groups around Mitzpah Hut. Thanks Marty and Pepper for a memorable hike. |
|
 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2016-11-06 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
